Visiting Great-Aunt

Zhang Yue'e had been born into the Zhang Family of Nanyan Prefecture, an Immortal Cultivation Family. At its height, the Zhang Family had possessed three Foundation Establishment Cultivators and controlled the lands of three counties.

Zhang Yue'e was the second daughter of Zhang Jiacheng, the Zhang Family Head. Her aptitude was ordinary. At sixteen, she had married into the Wang Family in grand style.

Zhang Yue'e had been married into the Wang Family for twenty-five years and had borne Wang Mingcai two sons. Her eldest, Wang Changge, was twenty-two and already at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. Her younger son, Wang Changyi, was fourteen and at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

She was usually responsible for raising Snowcloud Chickens. The Snowcloud Chickens were clan property, but she also raised several First Grade Lower Rank Spirit Fish, which brought her a profit of thirty or forty Spirit Stones each year. She gave all the Spirit Stones she had saved to her two sons, hoping they could travel farther along the immortal path.

That noon, as usual, she went home to cook for her two sons.

Wang Mingcai was rather busy and rarely returned home at noon.

Purple sweet potato porridge, a plate of dried tofu, and three large steamed buns.

Wang Changge was responsible for guarding the quarry and could not return, so only Zhang Yue'e and Wang Changyi were present for lunch.

After Wang Changyi finished eating, he returned to his room to rest, while Zhang Yue'e cleared away the dishes and chopsticks.

She had just finished clearing the table when Wang Mingcai hurried inside.

"Dear, the food is all gone. Go back to the room and rest for a while first. I'll call you once the meal is ready."

Wang Mingcai shook his head and said, "I've already eaten. Changyi is in his room, right? Get ready. We're making a trip back to your parents' home."

Zhang Yue'e was slightly stunned and asked in confusion, "My father's birthday passed long ago. Why are we going back to my parents' home at a time like this?"

"Ninth Uncle was attacked on his way back and unfortunately died. After investigating, we confirmed that the Song, Sun, and Liu Families of Pingyang Prefecture joined forces against our Wang Family. Second Uncle instructed us to visit your parents' home. I need to have a proper talk with Father-in-law. If I remember correctly, your younger sister Yue Jiao married the Sun Family Head. Second Uncle hopes Father-in-law can mediate between us. Tearing our faces apart benefits no one."

Zhang Yue'e frowned. "Why would the Sun Family suddenly make a move against our Wang Family? The palm is flesh, and the back of the hand is flesh too. My father cannot favor your Wang Family, nor can he favor the Sun Family."

"I know. I only want Father-in-law to mediate. If our two families truly come to blows, it won't benefit anyone. Third Brother promised me that if Father-in-law can persuade the Sun Family to stop, he'll issue Changyi an extra two catties of First-Order Mid-Grade Spirit Grain every month."

Zhang Yue'e's eyes lit up. "Really? Third Brother truly said that?"

Wang Mingcai nodded. "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Third Brother said it in front of several brothers. If we handle this matter well, we'll have rendered merit to the Lineage. It's only right for Third Brother to give Changyi two extra catties of First-Order Mid-Grade Spirit Grain each month. Changyi is at the best age for cultivation right now. If he can consume two more catties of First-Order Mid-Grade Spirit Grain every month, his cultivation speed will increase somewhat."

"Wonderful! Time waits for no one—we'll set out at once. My father likes Spirit Wine. Let's buy a jar of Azure Bamboo Brew to take back. Once the old man is happy, mediation will surely be no problem."

Once Zhang Yue'e learned that this concerned her son's future cultivation resources, she took it very seriously and actively offered plans.

Before long, Wang Mingcai's family of three left Azure Lotus Mountain and flew toward Nanyan Prefecture.

Zhao Yuhui was already one hundred and forty-one years old this year. She was one of the Zhao Family's two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, as well as the person of highest seniority in the Zhao Family.

Zhao Yuhui had not married out. Instead, she had taken in a Live-in Son-in-Law and had two sons and one daughter. Her daughter had already married out, her eldest son had Already Passed Away, and her younger son, Zhao Ziheng, was the Zhao Family Head, responsible for all the Zhao Family's affairs. Unless it was something especially important, Zhao Ziheng would not disturb Zhao Yuhui's cultivation.

At noon that day, Zhao Ziheng came to the small building where Zhao Yuhui lived. He lightly knocked on the door three times and said, "Mother, Uncle-in-law has arrived, along with Cousin Mingyuan's family."

"My birthday is still half a year away. Why have they come at a time like this?"

A somewhat hoarse voice came from inside the building.

The door swung open, and an elderly woman in a green robe, well past seventy, stepped outside.

The old woman had kind eyes and a benevolent face, her countenance covered in wrinkles but rosy with health. She held a green walking stick in her right hand.

Zhao Ziheng shook his head. "I do not know. But I noticed that Uncle-in-law and Cousin Mingyuan both looked extremely anxious. Perhaps something has happened to the Wang Family. They are in the reception hall."

Zhao Yuhui considered this, then instructed, "Tell the kitchen to prepare a table of food and wine. They have come all this way, so we cannot neglect proper courtesy. I'll go see them now. Also, have Ningxiang and Ningxuan accompany them in the reception hall."

"Yes, Mother."

In the reception hall, Wang Yaozu, Wang Mingyuan, Liu Qing'er, and Wang Changsheng sat in their chairs. Wang Yaozu and Wang Mingyuan were both full of anxiety, while Wang Changsheng looked utterly bewildered.

Wang Changsheng had originally been refining artifacts when Wang Yaozu suddenly came looking for him and brought him to Butterfly Valley.

Butterfly Valley was the Zhao Family's Lineage residence in Guangyuan Prefecture. Wang Changsheng's late grandmother had been the biological younger sister of Matriarch Zhao.

By seniority, Matriarch Zhao was Wang Changsheng's great-aunt.

Wang Mingyuan had become the Wang Family Head not only because he handled matters fairly, but also because of Zhao Yuhui's strong support.

Whenever Zhao Yuhui celebrated her birthday, Wang Yaozu would bring Wang Changsheng to the Zhao Family to offer birthday wishes. Since Wang Mingyuan became Family Head, however, he had been busy handling clan affairs and had not visited the Zhao Family for a long time.

In Wang Changsheng's memory, Great-Aunt had always been kind and loving toward others, and she had doted on him greatly. Yet these past few years, he had been stationed in Peaceful County and could not come to celebrate her birthday.

"Zijun, is Elder Sister not home?"

After hesitating slightly, Wang Yaozu asked the Middle-Aged Man seated beside him.

The Middle-Aged Man had an honest-looking face and appeared to be around forty.

"This nephew does not know Aunt's whereabouts. But if Aunt is available, she will certainly come out to see you. Please wait a moment, Uncle-in-law."

Zhao Zijun Smiled Slightly and replied politely.

"Yaozu, we haven't seen each other for only a year. How did your temperament become so impatient?"

Zhao Yuhui's voice came from outside.

No sooner had she spoken than Zhao Yuhui strode in, a broad smile on her face.

Zhao Ziheng stood behind her, followed by a young man and woman.

The young man was tall and thin, with regular features, and looked to be around twenty. He was dressed like a scholar. The young woman wore a long green dress and looked to be fifteen or sixteen. Her skin was fair as snow, her features lovely, and her figure delicate and captivating.

"Elder Sister, your complexion is still as good as ever."

Wang Yaozu forced a smile and offered a polite remark.

"I'm old and useless now. Speaking of which, Mingyuan has not come to see me for a long time. What made him think to visit me today?"

Zhao Yuhui shook her head and gave Wang Mingyuan a meaningful look.

Wang Mingyuan hurriedly explained, "Aunt, you give this nephew too much credit. This nephew has always held Aunt in his heart, but clan affairs have kept me so busy that I truly could not get away. This time, I came specifically to visit Aunt."

"Yes, Aunt. A few days ago, my husband dreamed of Mother-in-law. Mother-in-law scolded him fiercely over this matter, and he regretted it deeply. Once he finished dealing with the matters at hand, he immediately came to visit Aunt. He knew Aunt liked the pastries from Hundred Flavors Workshop, so he specially went there to buy some."

Liu Qing'er chimed in and took an exquisite food box from her Storage Pouch.

"It is enough that you have such filial intentions. There was no need to make a special trip to Hundred Flavors Workshop for pastries. Ziheng, accept them."

Zhao Ziheng answered and said with a smile, "Cousin Mingyuan is too courteous. We are family; there is no need to be so formal."